Carton for eggs



Sept. 7, 1937. H. E. BRUNDIN 2,091,960

- CARTON FOR Bees Filed Aug. 26, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Harold Elfinmdi-n/ Weiss I H. E. BRUNDIN CARTON FOR EGGS Sept. 7, 1937.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 3 a a Fild Aug. 26, 1935 M/ XX 0 Jon X X i A a AV n H Snnentor Ha rold E. Brandi),

CI omen Patented Sept. 7, 1937 Umrso stares CARTON FOR EGGS Application August 26,

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to a carton of cellular construction that is especially adapted for use in the holding, displaying and shipping of fragile articles, and because the principal use to which such cartons are now put is the shipping of eggs,these objects only will be referred to hereinafter,it not being intended thereby to limit the use of the carton in the handling of such objects, but merely for facility of description. Cartons of the character illustrated are usually constructed to hold a dozen eggs in a two by six arrangement, that is to say the individual cells for the eggs are arranged in two parallel rows. of six each. The invention has for its object to produce the carton from a single sheet of cardboard or similar material and to construct the same in a novel manner, whereby the cells for the individual eggs are so formed as to maintain their shape and at the same time to have their walls suiiiciently resilient to accommodate eggs of different sizes, within reasonable limits, and also to protect them from external pressures in any direction to which the carton may be subjected, and/or from shocks incident to handling or transportation, so that the contents of the carton shall not be broken or injured. Other objects incident to the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the accompanying drawings and will be referred to in the following specification.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a perspective view of a carton made according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an end view thereof;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the same;

Figure 4 is a view of blank from which the carton is formed, in flat form;

Figure 5 is a view illustratin a step in the set up of the complete carton from the blank.

In manufacturing the article shown in Figure 1, a blank like that represented in Figure 4 is manipulated and folded in the peculiar manner to be hereinafter described. The carton thus produced, considered as a whole, is of very sturdy construction, well braced and with the several parts thereof so connected and interlocked as to resist external pressures from any direction which might tend to deform the carton and to break or injure its contents. The formation of the individual cells is such that the eggs are cushioned against shocks, and at the same time are held and maintained in the desired positions most suitable for handling and inspection. All of the parts of the carton are well ventilated and the construction is such as to afford abundant end 1935, Serial No. 37,998

display of the eggs when the carton is closed for shipment or storage.

The blank shown in Figure 4 consists of several sections, divided one from the other by longi tudinal score lines; and such sections will now be referred to. I designates the section that serves as the top or lid. It is separated, by a score line 2, from the next section 3, which constitutes that outer side wall which is herein termed the rear wall. This in turn is separated, by a broken score line 4, from that intermediate cross section 5, that serves as the bottom or support for the carton and also carries the transverse partitions that divide the cells in the rows one from the other, such partitions being integral parts of the section 5. Next beyond this intermediate cross section, and separated therefrom by another broken score line 6, is the section i that constitutes the second or front outer side wall of the carton. Beyond the section 1, and separated therefrom by a score line 8, is a section designated as a whole by 9, and made up of a number of parts, this section being, for easier reference, termed the cell-completing section.

The section 9 is divided into two parts by a central longitudinal score line H], the part on each side of such line serving to form the side walls and the bottoms of the cells of one row.

That part of section 9 which is next beyond the front side wall section 1 is designated ll, and constitutes the front walls of the cells proper constituting the front row. It is separated from the part l3 that constitutes the bottoms of the front row of cells, by a. score line l2. Next beyond the bottoms part is is a portion l5, separated from part l3 by a score line M, and constituting the center walls of the cells of the front row, these being located, when the carton is set up, opposite the front cell walls formed by the part II. The parts of the section 9 beyond the mid-score line it and which constitute the supporting walls of the cells of the rear row, are like those, l l, H and I5, which have just been described and therefore need no detail description. Such parts are successively designated H, is and 2t and the score lines that separate them are it and 20.

The section 5 of the blank is cut to form a plurality of partitions 56, which when raised, and held in such raised position by the cells-completing section 9, constitute the transverse separators dividing the interior space of the carton into cells. The section 5 is transversely crossed by a series of cuts 22 of irregular or sinuous shape extending between the score lines 4 and t and dividingthe section into the parts that constitute the transverse partitions. These cuts 22 are extended at their ends, in alinement with the broken score lines 4 and 6, by cuts 23, 23. From the end of each cut 23, and extending inwardly until a cut 22 is reached, is a score line 24, these lines joining respectively the sections of the broken score lines 4 and 6 at right angles. As a result of this cutting and scoring, there are formed, at the angles between the score lines 2 8 and 4 and 24 and 6, connecting or hinge parts 25, of approximate triangular shape, uniting the transverse partitions with the low-er edges of the adjacent outer side walls of the carton.

Each partition section is separated into two central arms or tongues, 26, 26, by a cut-out 21 extending into the section from the middle of the irregular sinuous cut 22. There are other outout portions, designated, 28, 28, that extend from the cuts 22 near the sides of the partitions, leaving tongues 29 between such cut-outs and the side cuts 23.

When the partition sections are lifted, in the formation of the carton, the arms 26 constitute the separated upper ends of each partition, one such arm being located in each row of cells.

At the middle portion of the lower edge of each partition, and directly opposite the cut-outs 2'7, when the blank is in the fiat as represented in Figure 4, there is formed a downwardly extending projection or tongue 30, this being produced by the shape of the cut 22, and on either side of this tongue is a recess ll.

Along the free edge of the cover section of the blank, I preferably arrange a series of projections 3 I, the ends of which are shaped into locking tabs that are adapt-ed to enter slits 32 in the front wall section I, thus securely holding the cover in place closing the cells.

When the cover I is folded down over the cells and secured in place, it rests upon the ends of the projecting arms 26 of thetransverse cell partitions. Such arms are of sufficient length to hold the cover, thus supported, sufficiently above the eggs or other articles that may be placed within the cells to prevent the cover being forced into such contact with the articles as might injure them, by reason of pressure brought to bear upon the cover.

In order to give resiliency to the immediate cell walls, that is to the sides l I, 15, I! and 2| thereof, I slit these parts as indicated at 33. I have found that the best results are attained by crossing the slits in the form of the letter X, one slit being continuous from end to end and the other broken where it crosses the first, as represented in the drawings. This arrangement does not unduly weaken the material of which the cell walls are directly formed, and so they retain their shape and yet have sufiicient resiliency for all practical purposes.

Where the space thus slit to give resiliency is of considerable extent, as at the sides of the cells, additional slits, such as indicated at 34, may be formed, these being preferably of curved shape and located between the upper and lower ends of the legs of the X.

Extending transversely across the two main parts of the cell-completing section 9, of the blank, and in line with each other and with the transverse partitions when these are lifted, are

slots, 35, 35, these slots respectively crossing the bottom portions l3 and i9 and extending into the cell side wall portions for a certain distance. Alining slots 35 are separated by connecting parts All of the section, crossing and extending on either side of the score line I0.

In forming a carton from a blank such as shown in Figure 4, the transverse partitions of the section 5 are first lifted, bending on the score lines 24. To facilitate the carton construction, the partitions 55.1 are held in lifted and vertical parallel positions by a machine or form provided therefor, which however it is not deemed necessary to show. The cell-completing section 9 is then folded over as represented in Figure 5, the parts of the section being folded along the score lines l2, 14, ill and i8 and 2% as represented, and

- when so arranged are brought down over the arms 26 of the partitions, which pass through the slots 35. The parts come to place as represented in Figures 1 and 2, and it will be seen that the outer front carton wall I, which has been lifted into place as the cell-completing section has been made to engage with the transverse partitions, bears against the outer edges of the tongues 29, along one row of cells, while the part ll, constituting the front side walls of the cells of such row, lies in the recesses between the tongues 29 and the main central portions of the partitions. This arrangement insures that there shall be an open space between the outer wall I of the carton and the front side walls of the cells, thus making it practically impossible for a shock or contact, to which the carton might be subjected, being transmitted to the contents of a cell so as to break or injure the same. and manner of supporting the rear cell walls 2!, of the other row, is similar to that of the front cell wall section 5 i which has just been described, and which, therefore, need not be repeated. The

center cell walls 55 and l I of the two parallel rows of cells have the portions til thereof between the ends of the slots 35, located in the cut-out recesses 2! between the upper arms 26 of the partitions. These arms extend above the ridge formed by the meeting of the said cell inner walls, as represented I in Figure 2, to support the cover, I, as has been described.

It will be observed that the carton has two 1ongitudinal walls at each side,--those designated 7 and 3 being the outer side Walls of the. carton, and those designated l l and 2! the cell walls proper,and that between such walls are open spaces maintained by the tongues 29 of the transverse partitions. The parts constituting the outer side walls of the cells proper extend downwardly and inwardly, from the upper edges of the outer side walls to the inner portions of the hinge pieces 25 connecting the transverse partitions with the outer side walls and constituting the feet or supports for the carton, with the upper surfaces of which hinge pieces the lower edges of the said outer cell walls directly engage, supporting the same by such engagements and assisting in insuring the permanent or fixed location of the side walls in the positions represented in Fig. 2, which positions it is desired should be maintained. The center side walls of the egg cells, formed by the parts l5 and 17, extend downwardly in the form of an inverted V from the central longitudinal score line Ml, with the connecting portions 40 resting in the cut-outs 21 between the upstanding arms 26 of the transverse partitions. The bottoms of the cells, the parts designated l3 and I9, extend inwardly and upwardly from the lower edges of the cell side walls where they rest upon the feet or supports of the transverse partitions members of the carton, to the center cell wall sections l5 and ll, with which they are respectively united along the score lines M and 58. This shapes the cells so that the eggs when placed The arrangement therein rest with their major axes inclining upwardly and inwardly as represented at A, in Fig. 2, which positions are maintained by the intermediate supports which are given to the cellco-mpleting portions of the blank such as have been described, to wit: their engagements with the transverse base portions of the carton along the score lines l2 and 2B and with the transverse partitions where the parts 4! lie within the cutouts or recesses 21, and with the partitions near their outer edges, in the recesses 28.

Should an extra large egg be placed in a compartment as represented at A in Fig. 2, there may be some variation in the shape of the cell caused by the movements of the inner side wall and the bottom of the cell to accommodate such egg, but there will be very little if any movement of the outer wall, due to its lower edge resting upon. the cross base pieces of the carton and being intermediately braced and held in position by the tongues 29 at the partitions. I have found that the construction of the carton which insures this maintenance of the shape of the egg'cells is of decided advantage by giving additional strength to the carton and constant support to the eggs with desired resiliency. This resiliency is enhanced by the slitting or weakening the side walls of the cells as has been described. When an egg, A, is placed in a cell the side wall of the individual cell yields to accommodate it, as represented at A, Fig. 2, and this is permitted without materially changing the position of the cells supporting wall, I l or 2 l as a whole, due to its contacts at the bottom with the feet portions 25 of the transverse section of the blank, at the top with the outer side walls of the carton and intermediately with the tongues 29 of the transverse partitions.

Should side pressure be applied to the outer carton wall adjacent to a cell wherein is placed an egg of a size to somewhat into cell walls, such as ll the space between the two side and 'i', it might be that the outer wall would come into engagement with the I distorted inner or cell wall, in which event the support for the egg for that individual cell would be bodily swung inwardly, the lower edge of the egg support that rests upon the foot piece 25 moving inwardly across off such support during such movement. These movements, however, cannot be of any great extent because the inward. movement of the outer wall will be of very limited extent due to its engagement with the vertical end edges of the transverse partitions which are next adjacent to the place where the pressure is applied.

The parts l5 and ii of the blank, which, being slotted at 35 to pass over the arms 26 of the transverse partitions, serve to constitute the inner side walls of the individual cells, also together constitute the central longitudinal partition dividing the two rows of cells one from the other. This partition, viewed transversely, is of inverted V-shape, leaving an open space between the two rows of cells from the top of such partition along the line ill, to the bottom edges thereof, where the parts, i5 and I1, join with the bottom walls, l3 and E9, of the cells. This shapeand arrangement of the longitudinal partition, is of advantage, in that it adds resiliency to the construction of the opposite cells allowing some yielding or distortion of either or both such cells due to shocks or other causes and atthe same time affords a longitudinal air space for ventilation, such space being open at its ends as will be outer edges of the transverse distort the cell wall and project and perhaps rising from apparent from the inspection of Figs. 1 and 2. The individual cells are also freely ventilated due to the recesses Al in. the lower edges of the transverse p-artitions, such recesses being inside the cells. The cells are also open for ventilation from above, where the spaces between the edges of the arms 26 of the transverse partitions and the outside cell walls are of ample proportions and are not closed by the bringing down and securing of the cover, as represented in Fig. 2. This arrangement not only permits good ventilation, but allows an unusual degree of exposure for inspection purposes when the carton is closed.

To assist in maintaining the carton in set up position, without interfering with the setting up operations such as are indicated in Fig. 5, I prefer the following additionalfeatures of construction. lhe edges of the cut-outs 21 in the central upper portions of the transverse partitions curve easily to a narrow opening 36, below which the cut-out expands materially. The narrow opening and the expanded part below are respectively shaped so as to form a pair of opposite hooks 31 carried respectively by the arms '26. In assembling the parts and fitting the cell-completing section 9 over and between the transverse partitions 50, the two sections, 65 and ll, that constitute the longitudinal partition, are folded rather close together so that the connecting parts 40 may easily pass into the cut-outs 27, the curved edges of the arms bounding the upper portions of such cut-outs assisting and making easy the entrance of said parts into the spaces 2?. As soon as the parts it have passed the hooks 3i! and entered into enlarged portions of the cut-outs, the cell walls l5 and ll are permitted to spring apart, the said enlarged spaces permitting this, and when this occurs the hooks 3T! somewhat overlie the parts-4B of the longitudinal partition and prevent accidental separation between the cell walls of opposite contiguous cells, may be perforated as at 38 to accommodate the hooks' iii when the parts are assembled and interlocked. It will be seen that the arrangement described does not interfere with the easy assembly of the parts, but does prevent accidental separation after they have been brought into cooperative supporting engagement.

The edges of the transverse partitions above and adjacent to the tongues 29 are likewise curved so as to lead easily and gradually into the cut-out recesses 28, the outer ends of the slots 35 moving in engagement with these edges of the transverse partitions as the parts are being brought together for set up assembly as represented in Fig. 5. To hold the two spaced apart side walls along the rear side of the carton in proper positions and relationship to each other after .the carton is set up, I prefer to form the tongues 29 at the rear side of the carton with hooks 32 on their inner faces, below which portions of the cell walls lie when seated at the bottoms of the cut-outs 28. When the tongues are provided with such hooks the side walls should be perforated in line with the slots as indicated at 39, to permit the hooks to pass through the cell walls as represented. The tongues ZQ'along the front side of the carton need not be provided with the hooks it, since the inner wall ll is connected at its upper edge, along the line 8, with the outer side assistance afi'orded by such hooks as does the rear cell wall 2! the upper edge of which is free.

The carton as a whole has no closing ends other than the transverse partitions at the respective ends of the rows of cells. This permits free circulation of air through the carton, between the spaced apart side walls and between the two portions of the central longitudinal partition, as well as directly through the cells of the two rows, and also allows an abundant degree of end display and inspection of the eggs even when the lid or cover is secured in closing position.

The several parts of the carton support one another in such a manner as to make the carton of extraordinary strength and resistance to distortion, and this is accomplished without the use of additional or applied means that permanently unite parts of the carton after the carton is set up, such as by gluing, stapling or other similar methods that have heretofore been resorted to. This is of particular advantage because when gluing is resorted to to hold parts of egg cartons in desired set up positions, much dissatisfaction and inconvenience has been experienced because the glued together parts separate while in storage, especially when stored in damp places; while stapling adds to the cost of production and is otherwise undesirable.

This case is a continuation-in-part of the application filed by me December 12, 1934, bearing erial No. 757,231.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A cellular carton for eggs, comprising a row of cells having double side walls which are spaced apart, transverse partitions separating the cells, feet or rests integral with the partitions and uniting them with. the outer side walls along the lower edges of the latter, the inner side walls constituting side walls of the cells proper extending from the upper edges of the outer carton walls downwardly and inwardly to the said feet upon which they rest for support and means for maintaining the side walls in said spaced apart relationship.

2. A cellular carton for eggs and the like formed from a single unitary sheet of material comprising two longitudinal rows of cells, having outer carton side walls, side Walls for the individual cells, and transverse partitions separating the cells in the rows and connected with the outer side walls by hinge pieces constituting feet or rests for the carton, the outer cell walls being spaced from the outer side walls of the carton and extending from the upper edges of the side walls downwardly and resting upon the connecting hinge pieces uniting the transverse partitions with the side walls where they are connected with the center side walls of the cells, the center side walls of the cells extending upwardly and inwardly and constructed to have interlocking engagement with the transverse partitions to support the same.

3. A carton for eggs having two longitudinal parallel rows of cells, constructed with double longitudinal walls which are spaced apart, transverse partitions separating the cells and recessed near their ends to form tongues, and feet or rests integral with the partitions and uniting them with the outer side Walls along the lower edges of the latter, the inner side walls constituting which they rest for support, the tongues of the partitions operating as supports for the spaced apart side walls and to hold them apart.

4. A carton such as described in claim 3, further characterized by the tongues inside which the side walls of the cells proper pass being formed with hooks that operate to prevent the shifting of such walls after coming into place below the hooks.

5. A cellular carton for eggs the cells of which are arranged in two parallel rows, formed from a single unitary sheet of material, and constructed with double longitudinal side walls that are spaced apart thus providing air spaces between the walls, the inner of such double walls constituting side walls of the cells proper, means for supporting and maintaining the walls in spaced apart relationship, transverse partitions separating the cells in the rows and connected with the outer side walls by hinge pieces constituting feet or rests for the carton, and a longitudinal twoton being open to permit free ventilation through the air spaces between side walls and also between the rows of cells.

6. A cellular carton for eggs the cells of which are arranged in two parallel rows, constructed with double longitudinal side walls that are,

spaced apart, the inner of such walls constituting side walls of the cells proper, means for maintaining said walls in spaced apart relationship, transverse partitions separating the cells, the transverse partitions being shaped to have their central portions extend materially higher than do their side portions, and said partitions being cut away at their bottoms to form communicating air spaces between adjacent cells thus afiording top and bottom communication between cells throughout the rows thereof for ventilation and inspection purposes, the ends of the carton being open to permit free passage of air between the spaced apart side walls and also to and between the cells.

7. A cellular carton for eggs the cells of which are arranged in two parallel rows, comprising side walls, transverse partitions separating the cells, the partitions being cut out in their central upper parts, the cut outs being shaped to form freely open passages each contracting downwardenter the cut outs in the transverse partitions and come to rest in the enlarged portions of the cut-outs below the hooks at the sides of the narrow entrances thereto, the enlarged portions of the cut outs permitting the two parts of the longitudinal partition to separate immediately below such hooks.

8. A cellular carton for eggs the cells of which are arranged in two parallel rows, comprising ;-65 connecting pieces between the slots arranged to side walls, transverse partitions separating the cells and hingedly connected with the bottom edges of the side wall, such partitions being formed with a pair of arms at their upper center parts the arms being separated by cut out recesses, and their height closely approximating that of the side walls whereby they serve as center supports for a lid or cover for the carton, and a cells-completing section constituting the side walls and bottoms of the individual cells and also a longitudinal partition separating the rows .of cells having engagement with transverse partitions by entering the cut outs between the arms thereof, the height of the longitudinal partition being much less than that of the side walls and transverse partition arms.

9. A cellular carton for eggs of the type wherein the cells are arranged in two longitudinal parallel rows, and the cells in the rows are separated 20 by transverse partitions-formed with duplicate side walls spaced apart, the outer side walls constituting the side walls of the carton considered as a whole, and the transverse partitions being between said outer carton walls. and connected 25 therewith by hinge pieces constituting supporting feet, egg-supporting walls located between the transverse partitions,-the outer side walls of the cells forming the inner spaced apart side walls, and being arranged with their lower edges resting 30 on the feet of the carton for support and to prevent outward swing thereof toward the outer carton side walls, the cell walls being weakened to permit bulging thereof into the space between the side walls upon the insertion. of an egg of sufii- 35 cient size, and the bottom and central side portions of the egg-contacting cell walls being supported from above by the central portions of the transverse partitions, whereby side pressures exerted inwardly on the outer side walls and contact thereof with the bulging side Wall of a cell will cause the egg-supporting walls of the cell to swing inwardly upon its supports from transverse partitions.

10. In a cellular carton for eggs of the type wherein the cells are arranged in two longitudinal parallel rows and the cells in the rows are separated by transverse partitions, such partitions being formed with central cut-outs opening from above through narrow throats, the cut-outs expanding materially below the throats, the combination with such partitions of an egg-supporting filler section slotted to pass over the transverse partitions so as to constitute individual cell walls, the outer cell walls being supported against downward and outward deflection and the center walls and bottoms of the cells being formed by an inverted V-shaped portion of said filler section, the outer lower edges of which join with the lower edges of the side cell walls, and the said inverted V between longitudinal contiguous cells having its ridge or apex resting in the expanded portions of the cut outs in the partitions: where such portions of the V diverge downwardly and outwardly immediately from the said apex.

11. A carton for eggs having two longitudinal pair of rows of cells, constructed with doublelongitudinal walls which are spaced apart, transverse partitions separating the cells and recessed near their ends to form tongues, the inner side walls constituting the side walls of the cells proper extending from the upper edges of the outer carton walls downwardly and inwardly and passing inside the said tongues of the partitions, such tongues operating as supports for the spacedapart side walls and also to hold them apart.

HAROLD E. BRUNDIN. 

